NEW DENEW DELHI: After creating the most lauded campaign, ‘Bell Bajao’ (ring the bell – a recipient of the Cannes Silver Lion) and one that’s inspired millions of men in India to take a stand against domestic violence, Breakthrough (a global human rights organization working to make violence against women and girls unacceptable) begins a new campaign ‘Board the Bus’.

The campaign which is a call to all women to ‘reclaim public spaces without fear for safety or harassment’ in India will be launched in Delhi on March 8 to commemorate women’s day.

The objective of the campaign is to make buses safer for women by inspiring women to bring about the change within – i.e. through reclaiming the space on public transportLHI: After creating the most lauded campaign, ‘Bell Bajao’ (ring the bell – a recipient of the Cannes Silver Lion) and one that’s inspired millions of men in India to take a stand against domestic violence, Breakthrough (a global human rights organization working to make violence against women and girls unacceptable) begins a new campaign ‘Board the Bus’.

Hence a group of women commuters will board a public transport bus at 4pm at Jantar Mantar on March 8 where they’ll share their experiences and discuss steps that should be taken to ensure a city safe for women. This will be followed post a dialogue between the government, transport organisations and the civil society about the safety of women on public transport, specifically Delhi’s buses.

“We’re asking women to come together, board a bus on March 8 from Jantar Mantar to their destination and show Delhi – through pictures, video, audio and text – that they are reclaiming the space on public transport that is rightfully theirs. We hope to encourage women to not only travel by bus, but also to share their experience and motivate others to join them,” says Sonali Khan, director Breakthrough.

Professionals who take the metro or auto rickshaws to work, girls who walk to their destinations and working women – will all congregate to share their experiences, voice their concerns and offer solutions to create a safer and more secure city.

The campaign will kick off with flash mobs across Delhi – NCR from March 6. The various venues for flash mobs include (March 6) – North campus (Delhi school of Economics, location between Hindu and St Stephens colleges, outside Hansraj and Miranda college, the South Campus -outside Venkateshwara College). On March 7 flash mobs will descend in Gurgaon’s Galleria mall, Sec 29, Cyber city and Leisure Valley.

March 8 will witness flash mobs across the capital including central park, the Plaza-inner circle, the bus stop opposite Park hotel, India Coffee House and state emporiums. Safety concerns force women to endure glaring restrictions in their mobility – be it urban or rural areas. While some are forbidden from leaving their homes without a male chaperon, others face a curfew on their movements. The working, tend to police their own movements.

The campaign which is a call to all women to ‘reclaim public spaces without fear for safety or harassment’ in India will be launched in Delhi on March 8 to commemorate women’s day.

The objective of the campaign is to make buses safer for women by inspiring women to bring about the change within – i.e. through reclaiming the space on public transport